Mutfwang orders crackdown on ‘illegal’ HISBA activities in Plateau

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has declared the activities of a group operating under the name “HISBA” in parts of Jos North Local Government Area as “illegal, unauthorised and unacceptable” in the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Gyang Bere, the governor directed security agencies to immediately halt the activities and arrest those involved.

According to the statement, “The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Caleb Mutfwang, Esq., has directed an immediate halt to the activities of a group reportedly operating under the name HISBA in parts of Jos North Local Government Area, declaring such activities illegal, unauthorised and unacceptable in Plateau State.”

The directive followed reports of “activities allegedly involving the intimidation, harassment, extortion and imposition of unauthorised rules on residents.”

Mutfwang warned that anyone involved should “immediately desist from such conduct or face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He stressed that the state operates under one legal framework, saying, “Plateau State has one Constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority, and that no individual or group has the right to assume powers that have not been conferred upon it by law.”

The governor further stated that the government “will not permit the emergence of any parallel authority, self-appointed enforcement body or group seeking to impose rules, restrictions or sanctions on citizens outside the established legal framework of the Nigerian state.”

Quoting the governor directly, the statement said, “No individual or group has the authority to appoint itself the government of Plateau State. The responsibility for enforcing the law belongs to duly constituted authorities acting within the law.”

To this end, “Governor Mutfwang has therefore directed the security agencies in the State to identify and investigate persons involved in the reported activities and, where sufficient evidence establishes violations of the law, to arrest and prosecute those responsible, as well as persons found to be promoting, sponsoring, aiding or abetting such unlawful activities.”

He also “directed the security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and other lawful operations necessary to establish the identity and activities of those involved and to ensure that residents are protected from intimidation, harassment, extortion or any other form of unlawful coercion.”

The governor clarified that the directive was not targeted at any religion or ethnic group.

“The Governor wishes to make clear that this directive is not directed at any religion, ethnic group or community. Plateau State remains home to people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, all of whom are entitled to equal protection under the law,” the statement read.

“The issue before the Government is solely one of lawful conduct and legitimate authority. Every resident of Plateau State has the right to live, worship, work, conduct lawful business and go about their daily activities without intimidation or interference from any self-appointed authority.”

Governor Mutfwang appreciated residents who reported the activities and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security.

“He expressed his appreciation to members of the public who brought the reported activities to the attention of the authorities and assured residents that his administration will continue to take every credible security concern seriously.”

“He reaffirmed that the protection of the lives, rights, dignity and lawful freedoms of all residents remains a fundamental responsibility of government.”

The statement concluded: “Plateau State has a proud tradition of peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. Governor Mutfwang will continue to defend that tradition by ensuring that peace is protected, citizens are treated equally, and the rule of law remains supreme.”